Improvement in whiffletree-stubs



w. c. SH|PHERD.-

Improvement in Whiffletree-Stubs.

Patented Oct. 1, 1872.

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. ances (1, against which the trace binds.

wILLrAM o. snrrnnan, or CLEVELAND, onto.

IMPROVEMENT IN WHIFFLETREE-STUBS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131mm, dated October 1, 1872.

To all whom it may concern.- I

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. SHIPHERD, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Whiffletree-Stubs, of which the followingvis a specification:

This invention relates to that class of articles known as whiffletree-stubs; and it consists in constructing the stub of tapering form, so as to keep the trace always against knobs formed upon the end of the stub and against the button, which latter is journaled within the slotted head of the stub,' and is prevented from having a full revolution by its end coming in contact with a central stop arranged within the slot formed in the head of the said stub, by which means thebutton is with ease and facility directed in its movement and retained in a horizontal position when it is desired to attach or detach a trace, all of which will hereinafter more fully be set forth, and in the enlargement or knobs upon the end of the stub where the button is journaled, to give the requisite strength to the stub and'to protect the pivot of the button from undue strain.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an end view of my improved stub, showing a tug or trace in dotted outline; Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional view; and Fig. 4 is a view of stub with screw-shank.

A is the stub; B, the shank of. the stub and O, a pivoted button to retain the trace upon the stub. The stub A is formed with a taper from the base to near a point where the button is journaled, and is provided at its outer end with spheroidal knobs 0r protuber- It is slotted for the reception of cam or button 0,

and is also provided with a shank, B, for attaching it to thewhifiietree. The shank B may be a plain spike, or it may have a screwthread, as shown in the drawing. It may be serratedor constructed in any way that will adapt it for the purpose designed. The spheroidal knobs upon the end of the stub are intended to strengthen it at the points pierced by the button-pivot, and also as bearings for the trace to prevent undue strain upon said pivot. The button'O need not necessarily be of the form shown in the drawing, but can be elliptical or any other shape, provided one arm thereof is capable of entering the slotted stub,

thereby bringing the button in line with the stub, so as to allow the slot in the trace to pass freely, after which the button can be made to assume a position at right angles to the stub and the slot in the trace, and the pressure of the trace against the button will prevent accidental displacement thereof. The stub A is constructed so as to taper from the base to the knobs a, so as to present an inclined surface for the trace-bearing, whereby any traction made upon the trace would cause it to slide outward, binding upon the protuberance and preventing any movement of the button 0. The stub A is formed with a central stop, cl, and curved seats a a, so that when the button 0, which is pivoted in the slotted end, is turned, it will be prevented from describing a complete circle on account of the end of said button being arrested by the said stop, no matter in which direction the button be turned. This is an important feature of the invention, for it enables the button quickly and with surety to be converted from a vertical to a horizontal position, the stop d and seats a a acting as guides.

To hitch the trace, press outward one arm of the button O,'which will cause the other to enter the slot in the stub, the button assumin g the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3. Pass the slot of the trace well upon the slope of the stub and bring the button down into position. Tighten the trace slightly, when it will slide down into position against the button.

What I claim as my invention is The stub A, slotted as shown, and provided with the central stop 01 and shank B, in combination with the pivoted button 0, all arranged and operating substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

To the above I have signed my name this 19th day of March, 1872.

WILLIAM G. SHIPHERD.

Witnesses:

JNo. J. SHIPHERD,

FRANK OADY. 

